I want to be on the field. I want to play. I want to make more of an impact, whatever that might be.

CINCINNATI, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns don't face the Cincinnati Bengals until November but that didn't stop the Browns from making the first strike against their AFC North foe.

The Browns plucked elusive slot receiver Andrew Hawkins off the Bengals' roster during free agency. Hawkins played in only eight games last season due to injury, but a healthy Hawkins, who caught 51 balls in 2012, is extremely difficult to grasp.

Hawkins is a major move for the Browns, but his departure from that team down South did not exactly leave the Bengals offense void. It simply created a chance for former Ohio State wide receiver Dane Sanzenbacher and second-year player Mohamed Sanu.

Sanzenbacher is the prototypical slot receiver with his inside quickness and hands. At 5-11, he's bigger than the smaller Hawkins, but not nearly as dynamic. Sanu is huge for a slot receiver at 6-2 and 210 pounds. He's built more like a receiver lined up wide but Sanu is baffling enough to defenders to make it work.

Not only do the Bengals have to find Hawkins' replacement, but new offensive coordinator Hue Jackson must certainly make adjustments.

Right?

"Not really," Jackson said. "We'll just take the things that the guys have done really well a year ago and we'll just add to it."

Sanzenbacher hopes to become an addition Jackson can utilize in the scheme. He's the favorite to replace Hawkins, not only because of his experience but because the Bengals tendered him for $1.4 million back in the spring. And Jackson likes what he has seen out of Sanzenbacher so far this summer.

"I like him," Jackson said. "He's done some good things. He's had a good camp thus far. Dane has good quickness, toughness, he's fearless and he catches the ball. That's what you need out of that position."

The open slot position gives Sanzenbacher his best opportunity to load up on playing time since he joined the NFL. He had 27 catches in 2011 with the Chicago Bears, one catch the following season and six catches with the Bengals last year.

Sanzenbacher likes his chances.

"It always helps that I have another year with these guys," Sanzenbacher said. "Every year you learn a little bit more. But I'm not just looking to hang on at the end of the roster. I want to be on the field. I want to play. I want to make more of an impact, whatever that might be."

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